Connecticut vs Villanova Best Bets & Predictions (Feb 21)

• UConn won the last matchup by eight points
• Villanova is on a six-game winning streak
• Keep reading for my Connecticut vs Villanova prediction and best bets as well as the line for this Big East battle

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The No. 5 Connecticut Huskies (24-3, 14-2 in the Big East) head to Philadelphia to face the Villanova Wildcats (21-5, 12-3 in the Big East). Xfinity Mobile Arena will play host to this matchup at 5:30 PM ET on Saturday, February 21. Both TNT and TruTV will broadcast the game.

Continue reading for my UConn vs Villanova predictions and best bets, as well as the updated line for this critical Big East showdown.

Connecticut vs Villanova Best Bets and Predictions

• Game-Total Pick: Under 140.5 (-108, DraftKings)

In the first matchup, the teams only combined for 122 points in regulation. Both teams are suffocating on the defensive end. UConn ranks 24th in the country in field goal percentage allowed and 15th in the country in blocks per game.

Villanova is among the best teams in the country at limiting foul shots, conceding just 16.2 per game (30th in the country). While they are among the worst in the country at blocking shots (at a paltry 2.2 per game), they are in the top 100 in steals and in the top-third at forcing turnovers generally.

I am expecting an old-fashioned Big East slog with both teams finishing somewhere in the 60s, scoring-wise.

• Moneyline Pick: Villanova (+130, FanDuel)

Last time these teams played, Villanova led the game with under a minute to go, so it seems logical that Villanova can knock off the suddenly wobbly Huskies. After a masterful start, UConn has dropped two of its last four games, succumbing to St. John’s and Creighton. Villanova, on the other hand, is surging.

There is some value in taking Villanova +2.5, but given the tight spread, it is worthwhile taking Villanova to win outright.

Connecticut vs Villanova Odds

Connecticut is a 2-point favorite in this battle of (likely) tourney-bound squads. The total is set at 140.5 points. Over bettors can bet over 140.5 on FanDuel (-105 odds). Under bettors can bet under 140.5 on DraftKings (-108 odds).

UConn bettors can take the Huskies at -2 on bet365 (-120 odds) or at -148 on the moneyline at DraftKings. Villanova bettors can take the Wildcats at +2.5 on DraftKings (-105 odds) or +130 on the moneyline at FanDuel.

College basketball odds as of 8:00 AM ET.

UConn vs Villanova Public-Betting Splits

The public is all over UConn, as shown in Saturday’s college basketball public betting splits. As slight favorites, 97% of the moneyline handle is on the Huskies with a healthy 83% of all bets. In contrast, only 3% of the moneyline handle is on the home Wildcats, with that handle spread across 17% of total bets.

The spread is slightly more balanced as UConn controls 90% of the ATS handle and 78% of ATS bets as narrow favorites. Villanova is taking the other 10% of the ATS handle and 22% of ATS bets.

The public is also hammering the over. As of Saturday morning, a strong 86% of bets are on the over 140.5, with 82% of the handle coinciding. The under represents just 18% of the total handle and 14% of the total bets.

UConn vs Villanova Key Stats

In a matchup dating back to 1987, UConn holds the lifetime edge 35-23. However, Villanova does have a 13-13 record in home games. UConn has won seven of 10 games played as conference rivals, including each of the last three matches.

UConn vs Villanova, Last Five Matchups

In January, the Huskies won in overtime by eight points. Solo Ball was one of four Huskies in double figures, scoring 24 points. On the Villanova side, Duke Brennan and Tyler Perkins chipped in 16 each.